Child Development

Child in Mind - Dr. Claudia Gold's blog "speaks to parents, professionals who work with children, and policy makers. I aim to show how contemporary developmental science points us on a path to effective prevention, intervention, and treatment, with the aim of promoting healthy development and wellbeing of all children and families."

Children's Needs - See our information page (with citations) about children's needs for intimate, nurturing relationships and time together with their parents.

Child Flourishing (video presentation) by Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD - The impact of trauma on the developing child.

The Evolved Nest "Early years are when virtually all neurobiological systems are completing their development. They form the foundation for the rest of life, including getting along with others, sociality and morality."  Drawing on many fields of science, The Evolved Nest concept illuminates the conditions that optimize human development and well-being, as well as sociomoral intelligence.

Baby GooRoo - "We focus on health, nutrition, and safety, with an emphasis on breastfeeding. Our content is science-based and thoroughly researched."

Chores and Children - Backed by science, Peter Gray (researcher and author) offers some great insights into why young children want to help. There are so many benefits to respecting their natural instincts -- and you'll be building a stronger relationship while you work together! Toddlers Want to Help and We Should Let Them

GreenspanFloortime Dr. Stanley I. Greenspan, a renowned expert on childhood development and the importance of emotions and relationships between child and parent, developed the Floortime model. His work is carried on by his son and colleagues, who explain: "For Parents/Caregivers who want to actively participate in their child’s program, The Greenspan Floortime Approach® has proven highly effective helping children on with developmental delays, like Autism Spectrum Disorders. With it, you can help your child improve their ability to build relationships, improve communication, and become flexible and creative thinkers."  Please note the important differences between the original, Greenspan Floortime and the DIRFloortime; Jake Greenspan explains: GreenspanFloortime is Not DIRFloortime, and Why That's Important. "Floortime is only Floortime if the child is Relating, Communicating and Thinking."

Hug Your Baby - Newborns: what are they telling us? "Based on child development, lactation and pediatric literature, HUG Your Baby’s trainings and resources help parents (and the professionals who care for them) understand a baby’s body language in order to prevent and solve problems around eating, sleeping, crying, and parent-child interaction and bonding." See the video "Understanding and Caring for Your Newborn."

The Natural Child Project - The Natural Child Project says:  Our vision is a world in which all children are treated with dignity, respect, understanding, and compassion. In such a world, every child can grow into adulthood with a generous capacity for love and trust. Founder and director Jan Hunt, B.A., M.Sc. Counseling Psychology, offers information and support, celebrating attachment parenting, unschooling and child advocacy. 

Parenting Counts - a product of the Talaris Institute, offering parents research-based information about child development. See their Developmental Timeline with tabs for Physical, Social, Learning, and Communication.

Pre-to-Three: Policy Implications of Children's Brain Development - Congressional Testimony by Diane Fisher, PhD (1997). Diane was a member of the Board of Directors of Mothers at Home (later renamed Family and Home Network) at the time of her testimony to the Senate Subcommittee on Children and Families.

Sleep - The Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame offers this information site on mother-infant co-sleeping, featuring the research of Dr. James J. McKenna. There's information for parents and for health care professionals, as well as background on the scientific controversy over cosleeping and misconceptions spread by the media. See also The Evolved Nest.

The Thoughtful Parent - Amy Webb, PhD, writes "If you are looking for strategies to support your child’s development using research combined with your own innate intuition, this is the place for you." In addition to the resources on her website, Amy offers connection for parents through Parenting Against the Grain, for those who want to be 'informed by research, guided by love".

Time With Children - A selection of expert advice about parent-child time together.

Wholehearted Family Policies - by Family and Home Network for the State Child Care Administrator's Meeting, 2004, Child Care Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.